Pillow Talk: Choosing The Cushions For You

We love throw pillows.

They dress a room. They bring in texture, pattern, and colour. They’re beautiful to look at, and the best part is that they’re so easy to switch out. A few new cushions can completely change the vibe of a space without you ever picking up a paintbrush.

Sure, cushions can be practical, but let’s be honest… they need to look good too.

The most popular places for throw pillows tend to be living rooms and bedrooms, but we think gorgeous cushions belong everywhere. From a styled bench in your boot room to a statement cushion on a reading chair in your study, almost every room has space for a star cushion.

When it comes to dressing your space with pillows, there are a few things to think about: the number, size, shape, colour, and fabric texture. And one more thing that’s just as important… have fun with it.

Grouping Pillows

How many cushions is too many? Honestly, we don’t think there is such a thing. But if your sofa is so covered in pillows that no one can actually sit down, it might be time to rotate a few into other rooms.

So how many should you have? Some people swear by symmetry and love each side of the sofa to mirror the other. Others prefer creating a relaxed frieze of mismatched cushions across the whole seat.

The truth is, there’s no right answer. Despite what the internet might tell you about odd numbers or even numbers, what really matters is that the arrangement feels intentional, not accidental. That’s where a little pillow planning comes in handy.

When grouping cushions, think about how your patterns and colours work together. If you’re styling a living room, you’ll naturally think about the sofa colour, but don’t forget things like curtains, rugs, and any prominent décor. Everything influences the palette.

Statement Cushions and Fillers

Once you’ve got an idea of how many cushions you’d like, decide which ones are going to be your statement pieces. Start with the bold choices first. Filler cushions are always easier to find, and working backwards helps the whole look feel cohesive.

Pick the cushions that really stand out to you and build the rest of your arrangement around them.

Mix Styles, Maintain the Fabric

If you want a stylish mix without things looking too chaotic, here’s a simple trick: mix patterns but match fabrics.

For example, try a warm neutral themed cushion frieze. The Malini Cream Velvet Tiedup Bow Cushion and Malini Meghan Ivory Fringed Cushion work beautifully together. They’re completely different styles, but the shared velvet fabric ties them together.

Another lovely pairing is the Malini Amazing Ivory Geometric Cushion with the Malini Langport Taupe Cushion. Different designs but the same soft velvet finish, which makes the whole look feel intentional.

Matching fabric gives you freedom to play with prints while still keeping everything harmonious.

(Not So) Wild Choices

Animal prints never go out of style, and once you add them to your home, you might not want to change them either. They’re versatile, eye-catching, and surprisingly easy to pair with other designs.

Our Malini Spoton Sage Leopard Print Cushion and Malini Spoton Black Leopard Print Cushion are both extremely popular. Choosing between sage and black is the hardest part.

If zebra print is more your style, the Malini Zebedeedodah Zebra Print Cushion range comes in Sage, Black, Ivory, and Chocolate Brown. It’s bold enough to make a statement but still timeless thanks to the tonal stripe.

Moments of Monochrome

If you’re someone who changes wall colours often, monochrome cushions are a brilliant option. They’ll always work, no matter what shade you’ve chosen for the room.

Big, bold monochrome cushions instantly elevate a space and add structure. The Malini Large Monochrome Kimathi Geometric Cushion is a real showstopper. It brings drama without overwhelming the room and looks especially beautiful in a bedroom.

Geometry That Makes a Statement

If you love a look that feels modern and structured, geometric cushions are a brilliant choice. They add instant impact without overwhelming a space and work beautifully with everything from simple neutrals to bolder prints.

The Malini Chillpill Black Geometric Cushion is perfect if you want something striking, while the Malini Amazing Black Geometric Cushion offers that same contemporary feel with a softer edge.

For lighter spaces, the Malini Amazing Ivory Geometric Cushion adds a clean, elegant touch, and the Malini Amazing Choc Brown Geometric Cushion is great for bringing warmth and depth into a room.

Geometric cushions mix effortlessly with plains, velvets, and even animal prints, making them a great anchor piece in any cushion arrangement.

Thinking Outside the Box

There’s no rule that says cushions have to be square or rectangular. Round or uniquely shaped cushions can soften a space and add a sophisticated twist.

The Malini Fleur Grey Velvet Cushion is a lovely round option that brings elegance to any corner. If you want something playful and tactile, the Malini Cocoon Cushion Range in Silver, Blush, or Natural is perfect. These work wonderfully in reading nooks, living rooms, or a little one’s bedroom.

Pick something you like! 

The great thing about pillows is that they’re so easy to change, you can always be a bit adventurous and have some fun. Animals on pillows are sure to make you smile. These beauties are both completely different styles, but are a great example of how you can get fun designs in both casual and luxury looks.

Picking your pillows 

Usually we’d say wait until most of the DIY stuff is out of the way before you get your pillows and throws in. We regularly update stock, and we have a broad range of cushions to suit various different interior styles.

However, you wouldn’t be the first person to use a gorgeous cushion as the basis of their next redecoration. On occasion, we get requests into our Colour Clinic where customers have fallen so in love with a cushion print, they’ve made the cushion’s design the basis for how they style the room. So maybe, if you’re in the planning stage, choosing a couple of gorgeous decorative cushions to kick off your moodboard is actually the way to go! 

Ready to style those cushions?

Cushions are one of the easiest, most affordable ways to refresh a room without making major changes. Whether you love calm neutrals, bold statement prints, or timeless monochrome, the right cushions can completely transform your space. Feel free to reach out with any questions via  WhatsApp or email us on sales@decoratingcentreonline.co.uk. We’re always happy to help here at DCO.

If you're ready to get styling, explore our full Malini Cushion Collection and start mixing and matching until you find the perfect pile for your home. And don’t forget to share the end result with us on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok, We always love to see the vision come to life!

Happy decorating,
Helen x